G20 Cites U.S. over Proposed Foreign Repair Rules

The Aeronautical Repair Station Association notes the U.S. could be in violation of international rules because of language pertaining to foreign repair stations found in Section 303 of the House Aviation Reauthorization Act (H.R.915). The House bill would require that foreign repair stations providing services to U.S. aircraft be inspected every six months, and that their personnel and those of their subcontractors be subject to alcohol and drug testing. In a report published on June 12, the European Commission (EC) cited the foreign repair station language as a “potentially trade restrictive and/or distortive measure” that does not adhere to U.S. responsibilities as a member of the Group of Twenty (G20). The leaders of the international forum of 20 nations met in London in April to reaffirm their commitment to “resist protectionist pressures” and agreed to extend this commitment until the end of next year. At the summit, the EC cited two potential violations by the U.S.–one for the proposed twice-yearly foreign repair station inspections and the other for the alcohol and drug testing requirements. The Senate has not yet released its companion FAA reauthorization bill, so the foreign repair station rules currently are just a proposal.